AI Shame: Should you feel guilty for using AI in your job?

Shame, failure, making mistakes and embarrassment concept. Depressed and hysterical woman crying in city. Embarrassed person covering face with hands. Workplace bullying or problems at work.


Barbara, a talented member of her marketing team, kept her use of an AI tool hidden from her teammates. She felt guilty at first, fearing it would undermine her skills. However, as she experienced the tool’s benefits, she struggled with her secret. During a team meeting about AI, Barbara confessed her use of the tool. To her surprise, her teammates responded with curiosity and saw it as an opportunity. They embraced transparency and collaboration, integrating AI into their work. This story is all to common in the modern workplace, what starts with shame, ends with applause.

It is unlikely for a normal person to hide the productivity that AI can bring to their job from their bosses. The use of AI technology and its potential to enhance productivity is usually seen as a positive aspect in the workplace. Employees are typically encouraged to explore and adopt new tools and technologies that can improve their efficiency and effectiveness in performing their tasks. Therefore, most individuals would likely be transparent about the benefits of AI and its impact on their job performance, sharing this information with their bosses to showcase their initiative and dedication to improving their work. However, individual circumstances may vary, and there could be certain situations or specific reasons why someone might choose not to disclose their use of AI tools.

AI is increasingly being used in the job market, and its impact is becoming more and more apparent. As such, it is important to understand the public perception of AI and how it affects the job market. Several articles look at how professionals feel about using AI to improve their performance, how they think their colleagues view AI assistance tools, and if their organization incentivizes or encourages AI implementation. The results are mixed bags, specially since every industry has implemented AI in different degrees. 

My informal research into the subject showed that a majority of professionals do not feel ashamed of using AI to improve their performance. In fact, many acquaintances said that they believe their colleagues view AI assistance tools as helpful and beneficial for improving productivity. Furthermore, most organizations are incentivizing or encouraging the use of AI by providing training programs and resources for employees to learn about its capabilities. Not all, for example, Google and Microsoft have warned their employees of using AI Generative Tools. 

When looking at data on the usage of AI in different industries, we found that there are some discrepancies between sectors. For example, some industries have adopted AI more quickly than others due to factors such as cost-effectiveness or access to resources. Additionally, we found that perception does play a role in adoption; those who view AI positively are more likely to embrace it than those who have negative views on the technology.

Overall, people do not AI shame because of artificial intelligence at work; instead, they view it as a helpful tool for increasing productivity and efficiency. However, there are still some discrepancies between sectors when it comes to adoption rates due to cost-effectiveness or access to resources. Additionally, perception does play a role in adoption; those who view AI positively are more likely to embrace it than those who have negative views on the technology.

The Human Touch: Exploring the Complex Relationship Between People and AI

According to Nicol Turner-Lee, PhD, a sociologist and director of the Center for Technology Innovation at the Brookings Institution, AI algorithms are not immune to the values, morals, assumptions, and biases of their creators. These biases can shape the functioning of AI models, raising concerns about potential inequities and injustices. As AI becomes integrated into various aspects of society, understanding and addressing these biases is vital to ensure fair and unbiased outcomes. Researchers and industry experts recognize the need for a sophisticated understanding of human behavior to develop AI systems that uphold ethical standards and promote equitable solutions.

Psychologists Take Center Stage in Shaping Human-Technology Interaction

Psychologist Arathi Sethumadhavan, PhD, a principal research manager on Microsoft’s ethics and society team, raises a critical question about the development of emerging technologies: How will societies interact with them? In an era marked by rapid technological advancements, understanding the intricate relationship between people and these emerging technologies becomes paramount. Psychologists, armed with their deep knowledge of human behavior, motivations, and cognitive capabilities, are playing a pivotal role in shaping the way we engage with these technologies and ensuring their responsible integration.

AI Shame is temporary

It is unlikely for a person to feel ashamed of using AI in their job. The use of AI technology and its potential to enhance productivity is generally seen as a positive aspect in the workplace. Employees are often encouraged to explore and adopt new tools and technologies that can improve their efficiency and effectiveness in performing their tasks. Therefore, most individuals would likely be transparent about the benefits of AI and its impact on their job performance, sharing this information with their bosses to showcase their initiative and dedication to improving their work.

While there may be variations in individual circumstances, and some individuals may choose not to disclose their use of AI tools for specific reasons, the overall perception is that using AI to improve performance is widely accepted and even encouraged. Professionals generally do not feel ashamed of utilizing AI to enhance their productivity. Many professionals believe that their colleagues view AI assistance tools as helpful and beneficial for improving work outcomes.

Moreover, organizations are actively incentivizing or encouraging the use of AI by providing training programs and resources for employees to learn about its capabilities. This highlights the recognition of AI’s potential and the positive impact it can have on job performance.

People are generally not ashamed of utilizing AI in their jobs. Instead, they see it as a helpful tool for increasing productivity and efficiency. The involvement of psychologists in shaping the human-technology interaction further emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior and motivations in developing responsible and ethical AI systems. By addressing biases, promoting inclusivity, and considering ethical considerations, psychologists contribute to the creation of AI technologies that serve society’s best interests and uphold fairness and equity.